Penoxal clinical studies in 115 patients at the National Centre of Oncology in Yerevan

2011

Gesavit® clinical studies at the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics in Prerov Hospital

Gesavit® clinical studies at the Oncology Department in Vsetín Hospital

2015

Marketing strategy planning for the Czech Republic and abroad

Rebranding the Biocol containing products to Penoxal

Purchase of the Gesavit® trademark and end of sales of the products under this name

Launching sales of Penoxal products

Active substance Biocol has been developed from the microorganism called Talaromycespurpurogenus, which is a genetically modified strain of microscopic fungi discovered in 1972 in Armenia's Ararat plain. As part of the following research onthe mechanism of biosynthesis in order to gain an active industrial strain, a selection of suitable strains during direct biosynthesis regulation and activation of enzymatic systems were performed. Throughout the entire research, no mutagenic substances were used that would cause a genetic modification of the microorganism.

For the purposes of pharmaceutical use, this microorganism comes from a complex biotechnological modification which allows Biocol in the form of red powder to be applicable and safe to health. In 1996 the substance was identified by the Public Health Office in Prague, and the National Institute of Public Health elaborated expert opinions on the usage of Biocol in dietary supplements. Thus the first marketing activities began in the Czech Republic.

In 1998 the microorganism was added to the Czech Collection of Microorganisms (CCM) in Brno. Then Biocol was patented worldwide and the toxicological studies on its health safety were conducted in the Research Institute for Pharmacy and Biochemistryin Prague. The studies confirmed that even the highest dose (2000 mg per kg) was not associated with any signs of toxicity or changes in behaviour of the animals tested. The hepatotoxic (liver toxicity) and nephrotoxic (kidney toxicity) undesirable effects were also ruled out, and no organ changes or changes to the genetic material (in chromosomes) were found.

Since 2003 the Biocol substance had been tested for anticancer effects, and itsimpact on organism due to the content of bioactive substance. The testing was performed for colon and breast carcinoma, melanoma, leukaemia and Lewis lung carcinoma. The studies demonstrated that Biocol significantly slowed down the growth of carcinoma and partially increased the number of white blood cells involved in the immune response. The best results were achieved particularly in the colon and mammary gland cancers where Biocol which showed to prolong life of the tested animals with a statistical significance.

In 2005 Biocol was approved by the Ministry of Health in CR as a dietary supplement, hence nothing inhibited its use in the pharmaceutical industry. Biocol appeared on the Czech market in 2007 for the first time, named as Gesavit® which promoted digestive tract function during oncology treatments (colon carcinoma). In the following years it has secured a very good position on the Czech market and abroad due to its excellent results as a supplementary therapy, and for its ability to promote immunity. Moreover, in 2009 Gesavit® was tested for malignant gynaecological diseases (in Pilsen, Přerov and Vsetín).

In 2014 BIOCOL PHARMA a.s. took over the project in order to bring the Penoxal to market .

In 2015 the Gesavit® trademark was purchased by BIOCOL PHARMA a.s., which resulted in the end of sales of this product and its rebranding to Penoxal.

In 2017 the company Penoxal Trade inc. which is part of an international investment holding company took over the project. The holding group financially strengthened project in the development, further research, and especially in expanding into other countries around the world.